1 Front
Serving Bureau County Since 1847
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
NEWSSTAND PRICE 75¢
The price of the feast ... Cost of Thanksgiving dinner increases this year By Goldie Rapp grapp@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — With food prices on the rise yearafter-year, most shoppers won’t be surprised to know the average cost of this year’s Thanksgiving dinner increased almost a dollar compared to last year. Each year, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) conducts a price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table. The survey measures for a feast of 10, and takes into account there will be plenty of leftovers following the dinner. This year, the average cost of the feast totaled around $50.11, which is a 70-cent increase from last year’s cost. The average cost of the dinner has remained around $49 since 2011. This year’s survey totaled over $50 for the first time. The big ticket item — a 16-pound turkey — came in at an average cost of $23.04 BCR photo/Goldie Rapp this year. That’s roughly Amy Kline (right), meat department manager at Sullivan’s Foods in Princeton, assists a customer in locating the right size turkey for her feast. $1.44 per pound, and an
Feast Page 4
Despite the Avian influenza outbreak in the Midwest earlier this year that impacted turkey production, many local grocery stores were still able to sell birds at a competitive price for costumers this Thanksgiving season.
LaMoille looks at programs By Zachary J. Pratt news@bcrnews.com
LAMOILLE — The LaMoille School Board heard reports on a variety of programs being utilized in the LaMoille School District from Principal Chawn Huffaker. Huffaker’s report included the merit program. “It rewards kids for doing what they’re supposed to do,” he said to summarize it. “At the end of the nine weeks, we plan a reward for them,” he said, “because they did what they were supposed to do.” The program is seeing success, even if some students still need help. “There’s always a handful of kids who need extra help,” Huffaker said, “but they’ll get there.” He explained the upcoming planned reward. The students will go on an outing to Echo Bluff. “We’re hoping the weather will be good for skating,” Huffaker said. “That is our hope.” There are contingency plans if the weather does not cooperate.
LaMoille Page 4
For my birthday, I want ... donations? Siblings ask for help for others instead of gifts for themselves By Goldie Rapp grapp@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — As many children spend the weeks leading up to their birthday writing out a list of gifts they hope to receive on their special day, the story is a little different for the Jagers brothers of Princeton. In lieu of birthday gifts, both brothers have collected items for children in need within the community. This year on his birthday, Ryan, 8, collected winter apparel items for the children who will have to stay at the Freedom House shelter. Trisha Schafer, Free-
dom House volunteer services coordinator, said the shelter was in need of the items this time of year. She explained many times when children come to the shelter, they have fled from their homes with their mothers with only the clothes on their back. Therefore, with the winter season quickly approaching, the extra coats, scarves, snow pants, hats and boots will come in really handy when needed. Schafer said it was a real generous donation from Jagers. She said there are not many 8 year olds who would be will-
BCR photo/Goldie Rapp
Alex (left) and Ryan Jagers ing to give up birthday gifts for donations, so it was a neat thing to see. “Freedom House is always grateful for community donations both monetary and in-kind,
especially with the fiscal challenges in Illinois,” she said. Ryan follows the footsteps of his older broth-
Jagers Page 4
Year 169 No. 140 One Section - 24 Pages
Check out our current CD special. © Bureau County Republican
48-Month CD 1.30% Interest Rate 1.31% APY New Money Only
$1,000 minimum to deposit Penalties for early withdrawal Member FDIC
315 North Cornelia Street Spring Valley, IL 61362 Bank Lic # 472574
www.svcb.com
815-663-2211